ci·vil·ian
sə-ˈvil-yən 
also -ˈvi-yən
1
: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law
2
a
: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force
b
1
a
: of, relating to, or made up of civilians
civilian concerns/demands
the civilian population
civilian customers/casualties
The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian honors in the United States.
b
: having the status of a civilian
a civilian pilot
2
: operated or controlled by civilians
civilian industry
: possessed by or vested in civilians
civilian authority
3
: intended or suited for use or consumption by civilians
civilian goods
With twin 2,520-horsepower engines and up to 19 seats, the Sikorsky S-92 is among the world's most powerful civilian helicopters.—
Josh Harkinson
Josh HarkinsonExamples of civilian in a Sentence
Noun
The bomb injured 12 civilians.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
The fighting -- the most severe between the two neighbors -- began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that Kabul said killed civilians.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Speaking during a meeting with political analysts and media figures, Hanafi expressed regret over civilian casualties in recent Pakistani attacks, saying the war was imposed on Afghanistan.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilian
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Noun
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians near the border have been forced to evacuate from their homes.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
The fighting -- the most severe between the two neighbors -- began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that Kabul said killed civilians.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Basij were the entity linked to the crackdown on nationwide civilian protests in late December and early January, allegedly killing thousands.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Speaking during a meeting with political analysts and media figures, Hanafi expressed regret over civilian casualties in recent Pakistani attacks, saying the war was imposed on Afghanistan.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilian
Cite this Entry
“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
civilian
noun
ci·vil·ian
sə-ˈvil-yən
: a person not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force
civilian
adjective
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